U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced the appointment of Mary Elizabeth Davidson Cohen as the secretary's regional representative (SRR) for Region VII. With headquarters in Kansas City, Region VII includes the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The Department of Education maintains 10 regional offices throughout the country to represent department programs and interests.

"I am pleased to have Dr. Cohen join our team," Paige said. "I look forward to her assistance as we work to implement President Bush's education reform agenda, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. "

As the secretary's regional representative, Cohen will serve as the department's liaison to state and local education agencies, public and private schools, colleges and universities and elected representatives of local and state government organizations. In addition, Cohen will help disseminate information about department programs and initiatives to key constituency groups including parents, members of the business community, and civic leaders.

Cohen joins the department after serving as vice president for adult and continuing education and dean of the graduate school at Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, Kan., from 1997 to 1999. She served as assistant director of the William T. Kemper Foundation from 1993 to 1997. She was assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Kansas Regents Center from 1976 to 1992.

Cohen began her education career as a teacher in 1958 teaching fifth, sixth, and seventh grades in the Kansas City, Mo., School District where she taught at the Edwin C. Meservey School and the William Rockhill Nelson Demonstration School. Cohen also taught science for K-7 grades for the Kansas City School District's educational television station KCSD - Channel 19.

Cohen received a doctorate in education administration from the University of Kansas in 1977. She received her master of arts in science education for elementary teachers from Columbia University in 1962 and was awarded a bachelor of science in education at the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1958.

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